BWRIT 135: Research Writing (Brown): Search Strategies

Boolean Operators

Most
databases don't understand the natural language we speak and need help
understanding what we're looking to find. For this, they require a special set
of conventions, including: Logical or Boolean operators, wildcard and
truncation symbols, and nesting. Databases and internet search engines apply
these rules differently, so check the HELP files in the database you are using
to find out more.

Boolean Logic
consists of three logical operators (connectors): AND, OR and NOT

Boolean Operator: AND

Finds sources containing two or more ideas

The database will only retrieve items containing both words

AND narrows your search

You can use AND many times in one search

Example: electronic AND voting

Boolean AND

Boolean Operator: OR

Use OR when searching for synonyms

OR tells the database that the words can be used interchangeably, so it will retrieve items containing either word

OR broadens your search to include synonyms and related words

You can use OR many times in one search

Example: electronic OR internet OR web

Nesting search terms
using: parenthesis ( )

Make a complex search using both AND and OR by placing
parentheses around synonyms so you don't have to repeat searches

Nesting saves you time by allowing you to search
multiple synonyms at once

Example:
(electronic OR internet OR web) AND (vote OR voting) - this cuts down on
having to do multiple searches for the combinations of keywords

Boolean OR

Boolean Operator:NOT

Use NOT when you wish to exclude records from your search results

Example: pets NOT dogs

Be careful when using NOT! The term you want may be present in an important way in results that also contain the word you wish to avoid

Boolean NOT

Search Strategy Builder

The Search Strategy Builder is a tool designed to teach you how to create a search string using Boolean logic. While it is not a database and is not designed to input a search, you should be able to cut and paste the results into most databases’ search boxes.

Concept 1

AND

Concept 2

AND

Concept 3

Name your concepts here

Search terms

Search terms

Search terms

List alternate terms for each concept.

These can be synonyms, or they can be specific examples of the concept.

Use single words or short phrases

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

or

Now copy and paste the above Search Strategy into a database search box.